Faversham Town Council is delighted to be the first town council in Kent to join the UK Network of Age-friendly Communities – a growing movement of places committed to making their communities a better place to age in, working with Centre for Ageing Better.
We are joining a group of places across the UK who are making changes to our physical and social environment to allow people to remain healthy and independent.
By becoming part of the UK Network we are also joining a global movement led by the World Health Organisation. The approach is an evidence-based, globally recognised framework for creating communities that are better places to grow old.
We have joined the network because we value our older residents and want to take the necessary steps to ensure more people can continue to enjoy life and get the support they need as they age.
We already have started our planning and have some great projects in the community such as the Faversham Hopper Community Bus, Faversham Healthy Futures and East to West Walking Route and will be talking further to residents, local businesses, charities and others to identify what’s next and to develop our action plan. Working alongside the Faversham Community Networking Group members we will be promoting Faversham’s Age Friendly Survey as a priority in early 2026.
This will bring a range of partners together so everyone can understand their role and take action to make improvements and to listen to older people in Faversham. We will be growing a network of Age Friendly Ambassadors, so anyone interested should email agefriendly@favershamtowncouncil.gov.uk
The UK Network of Age-friendly Communities covers over 30 million people across the UK, of which over 10 million are over 50.
The Mayor of Faversham, Cllr Josh Rowlands, said “Becoming the first town council in Kent to join the UK Network of Age-friendly Communities is something Faversham is very proud of. It reflects our commitment to valuing older residents and making sure our town remains a place where people can live well, stay independent and feel connected at every stage of life.”
Cllr Laura Coniam, Chair of the Community Committee, said “I am so pleased that Faversham Town Council are part of this initiative, and proud that we are the first town council in Kent to be accepted. Faversham is a warm and welcoming community to all residents, and this important scheme will ensure that our town becomes increasingly accessible to older residents.”
Natalie Turner, Deputy Director for Localities at Centre for Ageing Better, said: “The population of the UK is ageing, with one in four people expected to be over 65 by 2050. The fact that people are living longer is cause for celebration, but it is important that we take proactive steps to allow people to age well.
“We are delighted Faversham has joined the growing number of areas committing to supporting the needs of our ageing population.
“Age-friendly Communities support healthy and active ageing and allow older residents to help shape the place that they live in. In these communities, older people can continue to live in their homes and participate in activities that they value, whilst contributing to their communities.”
About the Centre for Ageing Better
Everyone has the right to a good life as they get older and our whole society benefits when they do. But far too many people face huge barriers that prevent them from doing so.
As a result, many older people are living in bad housing, dealing with poverty and poor health and made to feel invisible in their communities and society.
The Centre for Ageing Better is pioneering ways to make ageing better a reality for everyone.
Its key areas of work include challenging ageism and building a nationwide Age-friendly Movement, creating Age-friendly Employment and Age-friendly Homes.
It is a charitable foundation funded by the National Lottery Community Fund and part of the Government’s What Works Network.
